ST. LOUIS -- Lindsay Whorton and Jonathan Cox of Drake University have been selected the Prairie Farms/Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athletes of the Week, Commissioner Doug Elgin announced today. Whorton and Cox were honored for their performances during the period of Dec. 24-30. Now in its ninth year of existence, The Valley’s Scholar-Athlete program is sponsored by Prairie Farms, Roberts and Hiland Dairies. On a weekly basis, the Conference honors its student-athletes for their athletic performance for a one-week period and academic success in the classroom.

"Prairie Farms and its family of dairies have been the only sponsors of this worthwhile endeavor by the Missouri Valley Conference," said Commissioner Elgin, who is in his 20th year with The Valley. "We are grateful for Prairie Farms continued recognition of our student-athletes for their athletic performance and their academic success."

A guard for the Drake women’s basketball team, Whorton, a senior from Independence, Mo., connected for a game-high 20 points and a career-best six three-point baskets in a 71-50 Bulldog victory over UC Davis on Sunday, Dec. 30.

Whorton, who has a 4.00 cumulative grade-point average in a double major of English and education, added five rebounds and three assists against only one turnover.

A forward for the Bulldog men’s basketball team, Cox, a junior from Barrington, Ill., scored 15 points -- all in the second half -- to lead Drake to its ninth-straight win, a 62-54 triumph at Wichita State on Dec. 29.

Cox, who has a 3.10 cumulative grade-point average in finance, compiled 11 points in a three-minute, 28-second span midway through the second half to give Drake a lead it would not relinquish. Cox, who tied a career-high with three treys, also had eight boards, including seven in the second half.

To qualify for Prairie Farms/Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Week laurels, student-athletes must carry a cumulative grade-point average of 3.00, completed at least one academic year at a Valley institution and must be at least a sophomore in academic standing. In addition to the academic qualifications, student-athletes will be evaluated on their athletic performance for a one-week period.